LPA and Lee George have worked together for 10 years or more, Heinfeld notes. The two firms have collaborated on projects such as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Flight Projects Center in Pasadena, Shea Properties' Technology Park in Irvine and the Chabot's Instructional Office Building in Livermore.

Another example of their working relationship is a project that the two companies completed for Concordia University. LPA provided the architectural and interiors designs for the university's Robert Alan Grimm Hall Education and Business Technology Center, with LGSE serving as the structural engineer on the project.

Heinfeld notes that more than 70% of the staff at LPA are LEED-accredited, and the firm has recently strengthened its capabilities in the realm of sustainable design with the hiring of Erik Ring as director of mechanical engineering. Ring will provide LPA with technical leadership for integrating sustainable mechanical, electrical, plumbing and energy systems into LPA projects.